Impossble to be in the city and not to visit its main square. It is easy to reach on foot from Gostiny Dvor subway station. The Hermitage is right near the square. Beautiful column and arch of the long yellow building that forms square's border.
This very Grand Square is next to St Isacs Cathederal,the column in the centre is the same marble as the Cathederal pillars only it weighs 600 tonnes and is free standing ( not fastened to the ground in any way) just gravity don't miss this and definitely not the Cathederal or any part of St Petersburgh it is a fantastic city
This is a chef d'oeuvre of the architects in the ex-capital of the Russian Empire, a kind of a famous and incredible Russian space, so wide and impressive... Must go and feel for those who do the first visit to St. Petersburg.
其实很小的一个广场,中间有一个女神柱,我还记得有一年在广场上散步的时候,被楼上掉下的一堆雪掉下来砸中了胳膊,疼了半天,要是掉在脑袋上,估计就已经不能在这里写点评了!呵呵
I was lucky to find a very nice weather during my visit to the square so I made lots of photos of the historical buildings you have around this place. It's a nice "taste" before you go to the Hermitage Museum. And yes, be careful with the people that is dressed up, remember that each photo with them will be charged and might be expensive ;)
You may found yourself in a james bond movie entering a huge square with impressive buildings around You. The winter palace, the admirality, the huge obelisque makes you feel small. And makes you remember all the cruel history that took place here. And that is still happening.
Much like Palace bridge, I don't understand why people feel the need to separate these. They should just be part of the overall Hermitage experience as frankly, what you really get in the square is a beautiful view of the Winter Palace and not much else (besides sleet in January!) - so yes, you're inevitably going to visit Palace Square while you're in St P but it's not a destination in itself!
There are so many amazing photo opportunities here! Its beautiful in the daylight but also worth seeing all lit up at night. In the day there are a few souvenir stalls and the odd pastry cart to buy snacks and drinks and at night there are people with horses who you can pay a couple of rubles to for a ride round the square with a unique perspective!
This is the quintessential Petersburg view. For the best effect, approach it walking North on Bolshaya Morskaya from Nevsky Prospect, through the giant yellow arch that curves around to the left. The surprise that awaits you can't be topped. If you happen to be here on a weekend, be aware that this general area is haunted by drunk youths still having a good time from Friday or Saturday night. They probably won't hurt you, but they will not hesitate to photobomb you.